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Definitely make sure you eat your protein. That has happened to me before. I eat almost nothing and then I don't lose weight. But you have to keep in mind the body will go into starvation mode instantly if it's not receiving enough nutrition. So often I eat less than 1200 cal but as long as I get my protein intake I'll still lose the weight. Also every so often I eat something with a little fat in it just to release my leptin. It really just comes to finding a healthy diet with a lot of protein. You're only four weeks in so it may be time for your first fill. When I stalled, I stalled for about three weeks around 240. And then I got my fill and and started losing 2 pounds a week. So don't feel like you're alone in this, we've all been through it. This too shall pass.

try tofu, its very bland and very high in Protein 20 grams per 1/2 cup and it takes seasoning well. try using tofu with some chicken stock or beef stock to flavor it, should solve your problem

style="margin:0;padding:0;background-color:#d8dde8;color:#5a5a5a;font:normal 13px helvetica, arial, sans-serif;position:relative;"> Hey BariatricPal Members! Happy Mother’s Day from BariatricPal! For everyone who is a mother or is a mother figure, thank you for all that you do! For everyone else, I hope you will take this opportunity to thank your mom and any other mother figure in your life. You moms out there do a lot for us! This newsletter is all about treating yourself, treating yourself, enjoying your family, and becoming healthier together. Here’s what you’ll find: A Mother’s Day Meal to Celebrate Be a Great Mother: Be Good to Yourself Time-Savers for a Healthy Family Have a great Mother’s Day, and enjoy the newsletter. Then spend some time with your family, and don’t forget to logon to BariatricPal and discuss family, recipes, and whatever else is on your mind. See you on the boards! Sincerely, Alex Brecher Founder, BariatricPal Be a Great Mother: Be Good to Yourself Mothers often find themselves putting everyone else first. You might feel so busy you can’t squeeze in a quick workout. You might cook your family their favorite meals while you depend on nothing but canned tuna and hard-boiled eggs to stick to your WLS diet. You might skimp on sleep so you can take care of the house and get the kids ready for school. And the idea of losing yourself in a good book or spending a few hours at a day spa? Those may be distant dreams. Are You Putting Yourself Last? Too many mothers feel they need to put others first. After all, taking care of your children and maybe your spouse and parents is your job, right? Add that to possible duties of housekeeping and holding down a job, and your time and energy are easily accounted for. Weight loss surgery magnifies the problem. You may feel guilty about surgery, especially if it was expensive for your family. You may worry that WLS pulls you apart from your family, since you need to eat a new way and set aside time to prepare food and work out. You may fight the guilty feelings by trying to put everyone else’s needs and wants behind yours – and that just doesn’t work. The trouble is, you can only give so much for so long without taking care of yourself. You need to make the time to recharge regularly and to keep up with your own emotional and physical health habits. If not, sooner or later, you will not be able to give your best to the ones you love. You’re Not Selfish; You’re Smart What happens when you think about putting yourself first? What feelings come up when you think about making your own meals before you make your family’s, or going to the gym in the evening instead of coming directly home from work, or postponing the housecleaning so you can meditate? If you’re like many weight loss surgery patients, you may feel guilty. That’s not fair or productive. When you take care of yourself, you are in a better position to take care of others. You will be stronger, happier, and more cheerful when you are healthy. Take some time to identify what you would ideally do if you did not have family responsibilities: which foods would you eat, what kind of workouts would you do, and which hobbies or relaxation activities would you pursue? Then figure out which ones are necessary for your long-term stability and work them into your life – even if it means making some of them a priority over less important things. Really, it’s okay to skip the dusting for now if you need that time to plan a few healthy meals. Take Care, Mother or Not By the way, being good to yourself so you can be at your best is not just for moms. No matter who you are, you can give your best if you are at your best. You’ll be better father, friend, son or daughter, and coworker. You’re not being selfish when you take care of yourself. You’re putting yourself in a position to give your best to the world. A Mother’s Day Meal to Celebrate After weight loss surgery, holidays are about more than just food. You can focus on family and on other fun activities besides eating. But the truth is, you’re likely to end up around the table at some point if you’re celebrating Mother’s Day. Almost all family gatherings tend to revolve around food, so instead of fighting it, you might as well make the best of it. Mother’s Day Breakfast in Bed If your Mother’s Day includes a little pampering at home…lucky you! Fresh fruit salad, cottage cheese with raw veggies, and Greek yogurt pops with fruit are some of the easy and healthy options you might want to ask your little helpers to serve you. You can also enjoy breakfast in bed or a more luxurious brunch at home with the help of The BariatricPal Store. We suggest whipping up a batch of instant Protein Pancakes in chocolate chip, golden delicious, or blueberry flavors. Serve them plain or with fruit or Greek yogurt for yourself, and let your children make their own feasts with toppings such as whipped cream, syrup, peanut butter, and fruit. For an early morning or mid-morning treat while hanging out with your kids or spouse, everyone might enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or cappuccino – protein included! Mother’s Day Brunch Out Are you going out for Mother’s Day? Lucky you! While that buffet or 12-course menu may look like a disaster at first glance, there’s a good chance there are plenty of healthy choices for you. Look past the breakfast pastries such as muffins, danishes, and doughnuts, doughy options like bagels, pancakes, and waffles, and fatty options like bacon and breakfast sausage. Think that doesn’t leave you with much? Think again! Check for any of the following. Omelets and egg white omelets with add-ins such as vegetable and natural ham. Fresh fruit. Seasonal fresh vegetables. Simple protein items such as cottage cheese and yogurt. Smoked salmon. Freshly carved turkey breast. The rules of your weight loss surgery diet hold here, too. Keep portions small, eat slowly, and You’ll have even more to celebrate than Mother’s Day when you realize you just got through Mother’s Day brunch without losing control. A Time to Reflect and Be Grateful We know not everyone celebrates Mother’s Day or approaches this day in the same way. Still, that doesn’t mean you can’t take the time to reflect and be grateful. Any opportunity is a good one for realizing all that you have, even though life can get tough sometimes. You may be grateful for the opportunity weight loss surgery has given you to get healthy and have a new lease on life. Maybe you’re thankful for your family and friends who support you and make life worth living. Maybe you’re happy to have a job that puts (healthy) food on the table and a roof over your head. These things are simple and basic, but remembering to be grateful for them can truly make you appreciate them and be a happier person. So, have a wonderful Mother’s Day, and keep working towards those goals for weight loss and health! BariatricPal is there for you at every step of the way, so we hope you will keep contributing to the forums. Thanks for all of your support!

Not pregnant but wanted to offer a few products I know of that are not gmo and/or, organic: Naked whey grass fed Undenatured whey Protein Dr Axe Collegen Protein and Healing Protein Phood plant based high Protein powder Best of luck!

Trust me, after surgery you will not miss comfort food. Food becomes fuel and nothing more, at least for me. I could care less what I eat so long as I get enough protein.

Some unflavored protein in that margarita might help out LOL

I'm a sleever, but my comments are general and apply to all surgeries. Like others, my comfort foods have changed. And I've found ways to get the flavors and textures I like. Early out, the Protein shakes helped when I wanted something sweet ( vanilla was my fav) or salty (chicken protein powder). I use PB2 instead of Peanut Butter and enjoy it with apple slices. I make my own pumpkin spice latte using a sugar free syrup, Starbucks instant decaf, and soy milk (lactose intolerant after surgery). I also flavor up plain nonfat greek yogurt for the season. Right now, I'm mixing in pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and splenda. Yum! Instead of chips, I eat pretzels. They are crunchy and salty and I don't like them well enough to overboard with them. For treats I like but can't limit on my own, such as Cheetos, chocolate candy and white cake, I only eat them when away from home so they are not in the house. It allows me to enjoy them occasionally. Each of us has to find their own way. Lynda

Maria, you're going through what many bandsters lovingly call "bandsters hell" (if you do a search for the term you'll get many hits). Most likely have very little, if any, fill in your band. Bandsters go through this period with varying degrees of hunger, but if you have very little swelling, the fluids that you're taking are going straight through the banded area. The doctor wants you on fluids now because your stitches are healing and if you eat solid food the digestion process will cause your stomach to churn and that coupled with the possibility of eating something that could get stuck might lead to possible serious problems down the line. Band slippage being one. If the hunger becomes unbearable, call your doctor. He might suggest an added protein shake, or something to that effect. Two weeks is pretty typical to stay on fluids. If you feel tempted to munch on something try to focus on those stitches and how important it is to let them heal for your longterm health and success with the band. Good luck.

I agree with Merkman. I've got my list of comfort foods too that I wonder if I'll be able to live without, but fear of "hurting" myself is keeping me from even wanting to try any of them. Honestly, for how much you need to drink to stay hydrated, you might not even feel those comfort food cravings- I really haven't. It takes a while (from my experience) to understand your body again and signals that its full- once you get your Protein in from a meal, I really don't have the desire anymore to eat the comfort sides.

I did! I had low grade fever the whole entire first week. My doc said it was ok as long as it didn't go over 101 Today marks my 2 weeks post op still dealing with weakness, a bit of nausea, and not reaching my Protein goal

I'm feeling really awkward. I go this week for my post op. I've been eating regular good but being careful about whites. However, I am always hungry and stop myself before feeling full because I don't feel full and guilt rises. I don't eat as much as before but after I eat I feel like I have over eaten. These protein drinks make me gag now. I can't take the ones with thicker consistency at this point. I am almost excited about getting a full because I need the restriction. Anyone else with this feeling?

Chelle, first of all, congrats on being banded. And yes, what you are feeling is normal. Part of th feeling of the "brick" is our minds playing tricks on us since we know we have something new in there. I never had a feeling of being full when on liquids or mushies, but quit eating after 3-4 oz meals and protein shakes. I have not had my first fill yet,but once the fills start, thats when you will feel the band really working. Right now, your stomach is healing and getting used to the band.Walking helped me with the healing, along with protein shakes. Good Luck, hope this helped.....Dave

Nuva ring is an option. You insert it vaginally once a month. You can't feel it and neither can your husband.

I'm going to propose something a bit different. You have until March 12 to lose the 15 pounds which gives you 6.5 weeks to do it. Make a top 5 list of the "last meals" you'd like to have. Limit it to 5. Over the next 3 to 5 days, have your top 5 meals for lunch and/or dinner. Once you have finished your last 5 meals, start your pre-op diet. Now, has your dietician or surgeon told you what type of diet to follow, such as liquid or solid Protein? If not, then I'd recommend doing a solid protein diet, such as Atkins Phase I. It gives you plenty of solid protein, like chicken, steak, turkey, pork, etc., very limited carbs (my dietician wanted 30 grams or less of carbs per day), and based on what my BMR (base metabolic rate) was at the time I started my pre-op diet, I limited my calories to 1500 a day (which based on MY weight would give me a 2 pound loss per week). Now if you add in exercise to this equation, burning another 300 calories per day and you work out 6 days a week, you'll end up losing about 2.5 pounds per week (when you combine food calories plus the exercise calories). That would get you to about 13 pounds lost during that time. You can cut your calories down to 1200 per day, which would up your weight loss to about 3 pounds a week when combined with exercise, which would take you to 15 pounds lost. Many free websites (I used www.my-calorie-counter.com) will help you track your food intake as well as determine what your BMR is. It is very important to use this calculation as it will tell you based on your current weight, height, gender, and level of activity, how many calories you need to take in per day just to maintain your weight. Depending on how much weight you want to lose per week, you then need to subtract 3500 calories per pound per week from your total. For example, if your BMR indicates 2200 calories a day to maintain your weight, and you want to lose 2 pounds per week, you'd take 2,200 cals x 7 days = 15,400 cals/week - 7,000 calories = 8,400 cals / 7 days = 1,200 calories per day. This does not include the calories you burn exercising. If you start working out, those calories burned will help with the weight loss. So, all of this to say that I hope this helps you get in your last meals, but also lose the required 15 pounds by March 12. Don't forget to drink your Water as that definitely helps too! Good luck! I know you can do it!

Yep chicken is hard for some.... So it sounds like you don't have a stricture, although I would if wanted and endoscopy over a barium swallow but I guess the doctor saw what he needed to see. Weight does slow after 6 months but the sliders (as you know) are going to be the problem. I would eat the meats that you can and veg rather than go back to liquids. Also plain greek yogurt with berries are a good snack/meal with tons of protein.

11 months out and I still can't eat beef or pork...or my personal favorite Chinese food! Explore options there is fish and cheese and nuts, so many different kinds of fish..I eat it almost every other night now...Never before...I love it! You need your Protein it is the building block that pushes this program to work.....Trade your Snacks for 1 a day..And have something like yogurt....You will start to pose again...but what you have lost is wonderful...Enjoy each lb. lost as a victory...it is going to take time and it won't always be easy...

I'm nine weeks out, and my diet is pretty varied. I haven't tried fresh veggies or fruit yet (my surgeon says 3 months for those) but I eat pretty much everything else in moderation. Typical day is three meals, and two Snacks, for instance, here is today's plan (I work nights, so keep that in mind: 5pm: Boca burger, on a Joseph's flax, wheat bran pita (I'll probably eat about 3/4) 10pm: Premier Protein shake 2am: homemade quiche with ham, cheese, broccoli 5am: string cheese 8am: 1/2 of a Thomas's bagel thin, with Peanut Butter That's about 750 calories, 75 grams protein, 30 grams net carbs according to MFP I average 600-800 calories per day, get at least 60 grams of protein, and try and keep the net carbs (carbs minus fiber) under 50. Hope this helps!

I had no problem with Protein shakes preop. I did three weeks of Optifast. I was banded feb. 19 and every time I drink a Protein shake - optifast or something else, I get an upset stomach and sometimes diarrhea. Any suggestions? I would really like to drink the as I have a hard time eating my protein. Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks! Cindy

Tonight we made Milkshakes for the kids. 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, 3 cups of milk 3 scoops of GNC's Alpine Punch whey protein barf-o-rama powder. Into the blender. Divide into 4 glasses Put straws in glasses and serve to unsuspecting children for a extra special bedtime treat. Then laugh evilly as they snarf it down and ask if there is anymore.

That's just plain funny. You gave me a great idea though. Potlucks at work will so be getting muffins with yucky protein powder. *insert maniacal laughter here* Poor unsuspecting coworkers.

Dear une nouvelle I read your post that you get a lot of protein all day. Maybe you could tell me what you eat all day. I have not been able to master this so that I could lose weight. I am just staying the same. Thanks so much JewelJ

At the point where I am (soft foods) my program has a suggested 4-6oz per meal portion size but I'm trying hard to undereat my sleeve (especially since I've yet to feel the big restriction so many people mention feeling) so I shoot for 3-4oz of food at each meal. Keep in mind, I keep it BORING because variety is going to set me off track at this point. Meal 1: 2oz of center cut pork chop 12g protein 1/3 of a banana for the carbs Meal 2: 2oz of chicken breast 13g protein 1/3 of a banana for the carbs Meal 3: 2oz of chicken breast 13g protein last 1/3 of the banana for the carbs Meal 4: 2oz of chicken breast 13g protein (told you I was boring) 1oz of beechnut honeycrisp apples baby food (it's good!) Meal 5: 2oz of tilapia 11g protein 2 tablespoons of greek yogurt 3g protein Soon I will eat: Meal 6: 1 stick of Frigo string cheese 7g protein A lot of people would be bored out of their mind eating the same stuff all day I like do, but I know myself and need to keep it simple at this point. I used to just eat 3oz of meat each meal but backed down to 2oz most meals so I would have room for carbs. I took the PROTEIN ALWAYS thing too far at first.

I used string cheese, and Greek yogurt for Snacks. I used to eat chobani fruit flavors but so much sugar so instead I mix fruit with Fage plain yogurt (about 22g per 8 ounces!) or I mix a Dannon lite and fit Greek fruit flavored with a plain Fage and get about 30g Protein and 180 calories. Yum! I will eat 2-3 Quest bars a week and also 1-2 GNC ready to drink shakes. That it 20-25g protein in one of to either of those!

My surgery is scheduled for the 29th, but I'm having issues finding Protein shakes I can tolerate. Has anyone tried the odorless ones? If so, is there anything you can use to help eliminate the smell? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Yes it was the Isopure RTD. On the packet info given the bariatric coordinator its says not to drink slim fast, boost, and carnation instant breakfast for protein supplement. I can already tell that this is going to be a challenge for me!!!!!